Vanessa Kirby

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22 Feb 2024

Vanessa Kirby

Vanessa Nuala Kirby, born on April 18, 1988, is an English actress known for her versatile performances on both stage and screen. She began her professional acting career in theater, delivering acclaimed performances in plays such as "All My Sons" (2010), "A Midsummer Night's Dream" (2010), "Women Beware Women" (2011), "Three Sisters" (2012), and as Stella Kowalski in "A Streetcar Named Desire" (2014).

Kirby gained international recognition for her portrayal of Princess Margaret in the Netflix drama series "The Crown" (2016–2017). Her nuanced performance earned her the British Academy Television Award for Best Supporting Actress, solidifying her status as a rising talent in the industry. She also expanded her repertoire by appearing in action films like "Hobbs & Shaw" (2019) and joining the "Mission: Impossible" film series in 2018.

In 2020, Kirby delivered a powerful performance as a grief-stricken woman in "Pieces of a Woman," which earned her the prestigious Volpi Cup for Best Actress at the Venice Film Festival. Her portrayal garnered widespread critical acclaim and earned her a nomination for the Academy Award for Best Actress, further establishing her as a formidable presence in the world of cinema.

Continuing her success, Kirby portrayed Empress Joséphine in the historical drama "Napoleon" (2023). Her performance earned her the AACTA International Award for Best Supporting Actress, showcasing her versatility and range as an actress across different genres and mediums.

Vanessa Kirby was raised in Wimbledon, London, by her parents Jane Kirby, a former writer for Country Living magazine, and Roger Kirby, a retired surgeon who also served as President of the Royal Society of Medicine. She has two siblings: Joe, who works as a school teacher, and Juliet, a theatrical agent.

Kirby attended Lady Eleanor Holles School before pursuing further education. Despite being turned down by the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art (LAMDA), she didn't let it deter her passion for acting. Instead, Kirby took a gap year to travel and volunteer at an AIDS hospice in South Africa, gaining valuable life experiences. She later pursued her academic interests by studying English at the University of Exeter.

Vanessa Kirby's career took off after signing with a talent agency and meeting theatre director David Thacker, who cast her in three starring roles at the Octagon Theatre Bolton in 2010. She appeared in Arthur Miller's "All My Sons," Henrik Ibsen's "Ghosts," and William Shakespeare's "A Midsummer Night's Dream." Kirby's performance in "All My Sons" earned her the BIZA Rising Star Award at the Manchester Evening News Theatre Awards.

Following her success, Kirby starred as Rosalind in Shakespeare's "As You Like It" at the West Yorkshire Playhouse in Leeds, where she received praise for her performance. In 2011, she appeared at the National Theatre in Thomas Middleton's "Women Beware Women," directed by Marianne Elliott, and also in "The Acid Test" at the Royal Court Theatre, earning critical acclaim.

Kirby made her television debut in 2011 with appearances in BBC series like "The Hour" and "Great Expectations." In 2012, she starred in the British crime movie "The Rise" and played Masha in the stage production of "Three Sisters" at the Young Vic, receiving exceptional reviews.

Returning to the Royal National Theatre in 2013, Kirby portrayed Queen Isabella of France in "Edward II," garnering praise for her performance. She also had roles in films like Richard Curtis's "About Time" and "Charlie Countryman," as well as in the TV series "Agatha Christie's Poirot."
In 2014, Kirby played Stella Kowalski in "A Streetcar Named Desire" at the Young Vic, earning her the Best Supporting Actress award at the Whatsonstage Awards. She also appeared in "Queen and Country," directed by John Boorman, which premiered at the Cannes Film Festival.

In 2015, Vanessa Kirby had a prolific year with several significant roles. She appeared in supporting roles in various films, including "Everest," where she portrayed American socialite Sandy Hill Pittman, and "Jupiter Ascending," a space opera film directed by The Wachowskis. Additionally, she starred in "Bone in the Throat," which premiered at the South by Southwest Film Festival.

On television, Kirby made appearances in the British television drama film "The Dresser," alongside Anthony Hopkins and Ian McKellen, and had a main role in the series "The Frankenstein Chronicles."
However, the most notable role of Kirby's career came in 2015 when she was cast as Princess Margaret in Netflix's original British series "The Crown." Her portrayal of Princess Margaret garnered critical acclaim, earning her a BAFTA TV Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress in 2017 and winning the award for the second season in 2018. This role catapulted Kirby to international fame and solidified her reputation as a talented actress.

In 2016, Kirby continued to impress with her performance as Elena in Robert Icke's production of "Uncle Vanya" at the Almeida Theatre. Critics praised her work, with some hailing her as the outstanding stage actress of her generation.
Throughout the following years, Kirby showcased her versatility in various film projects, including portraying Zelda Fitzgerald in "Genius," the leading role in the sci-fi film "Kill Command," and a role in the romantic drama "Me Before You."

In 2018, Kirby returned to the stage to play the title character in Polly Stenham's "Julie" at the Royal National Theatre. She also appeared in blockbuster action films like "Mission: Impossible – Fallout" and "Fast and Furious: Hobbs & Shaw."
In 2020, Kirby delivered a standout performance as Martha in "Pieces of a Woman," a film that explores the trauma and grief surrounding baby loss. Her portrayal earned universal critical acclaim, with many praising her as delivering her most impressive screen performance to date. Kirby won the Volpi Cup for Best Actress at the 2020 Venice Film Festival for her role in the film and received nominations for prestigious awards like the Academy Award, Golden Globe, BAFTA Award, and Screen Actors Guild Award.

Additionally, at the 77th Venice International Film Festival, Kirby promoted "The World to Come," directed by Mona Fastvold, which won the Queer Lion award for best LGBTQ-themed film during the festival.

In 2021, Vanessa Kirby co-founded Aluna Entertainment, a London-based production company, with her sister Juliet. The company secured a first-look deal with Netflix, indicating their commitment to producing content for the streaming platform. Additionally, Kirby took on the leading role in the drama film "Italian Studies," which premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival.

Between 2021 and 2023, Kirby also ventured into podcasting as one of the hosts of the True Spies podcast, alongside Hayley Atwell, Sophia Di Martino, and Daisy Ridley. The podcast delves into the world of real spies and their missions.
In 2022, Kirby appeared in the drama film "The Son," directed by Florian Zeller, where she portrayed Beth, the second wife of the character played by Hugh Jackman. The film premiered at the 79th Venice International Film Festival, receiving mixed reviews from critics, but the performances of Jackman and Kirby were praised.

Continuing her involvement in blockbuster franchises, Kirby reprised her role as Alanna Mitsopolis, also known as the White Widow, in "Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One" (2023) and the untitled eighth Mission: Impossible film (2025).
Kirby also took on the role of Empress Joséphine de Beauharnais in the historical drama film "Napoleon" (2023), directed by Ridley Scott and starring Joaquin Phoenix in the title role. She replaced Jodie Comer in the role.

In February 2024, Kirby made headlines by joining the Marvel Cinematic Universe. She is set to portray Susan Storm, also known as the Invisible Woman, in the film "The Fantastic Four," scheduled for release in 2025 as part of Phase Six of the MCU. This marks a significant step in Kirby's career, as she joins one of the most iconic superhero teams in Marvel Comics lore.